Cowboys on the Clock: Russell Maryland, #1 Overall

It’s finally here! The 2016 NFL draft will take place TOMORROW night, as we all watch in anticipation when the Dallas Cowboys come on the clock with the fourth overall pick. Back in 1991, that wait was a big shorter, as the Cowboys owned the first overall pick. They used this pick on a defensive tackle out of the University of Miami. Russell Maryland Maryland’s football career took some time to get off the ground, as he ended up at Miami after not being heavily recruited.

It’s finally here! The 2016 NFL draft will take place TOMORROW night, as we all watch in anticipation when the Dallas Cowboys come on the clock with the fourth overall pick.

Back in 1991, that wait was a big shorter, as the Cowboys owned the first overall pick.

They used this pick on a defensive tackle out of the University of Miami.

Russell Maryland

Maryland’s football career took some time to get off the ground, as he ended up at Miami after not being heavily recruited. With the Hurricanes, it took until his senior year to really break out.

Prior to entering the NFL draft, Maryland recorded 96 tackles and 10.5 sacks as an All-American and Outland Trophy winner.

While Maryland did not have the incredibly lengthy career in Dallas that you would expect from a #1 overall draft pick, he stepped in at just the right time. Starting all 16 games in his rookie year, the relentless defensive tackle helped lead the Jimmy Johnson led Cowboys to an 11-5 regular season record.

This season would serve as a springboard for Dallas, as they used a blowout loss to the Lions in the Divisional Round of the playoffs to win back to back Super Bowls against the Buffalo Bills in XXVII and XXVIII.

Maryland’s stats improved in each of these first three years, and he made his only Pro Bowl in 1993.

Russell would play two more seasons as a Cowboy, but see a dip in his production. Still, he captured his third Super Bowl ring against the Steelers in Super Bowl XXX. It would be his final season in Dallas.

Russell would join the Oakland Raiders from 1996-1999 before playing his final season as a Green Bay Packer in 2000. Maryland ended his career with 267 tackles and 24.5 sacks.

The following players have also been selected with the 1st overall pick by the Dallas Cowboys:

Born January 28th, 1996- Cowboys Super Bowl XXX. Point Pleasant NJ, no we're not how you think we are. Host of "Upon Further Review" on 90.3 WMSC FM and wmscradio.com every Friday from 1-4 PM ET. Also available through iHeart radio! Keep up with the show on Twitter @UFRWMSC!